Our one year old daughter, Callie, was born into a very loving, mixed family, and so it was important to us that she learn about the roots from which her family comes from. I am no longer affiliated with a synagogue and was thrilled to see a postcard arrive in our mail box from the Jewish Federation of San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys advertising Gan Katan, a pre-Shabbat play group on Fridays.

Callie and I had a lovely morning filled with songs, learning words in Hebrew, creating crafts, and reading Jewish stories. We ended our morning with a little Shabbat service that included prayers for lighting the candles, grape juice and Challah. I cheerfully signed us up for Gan Katan and PJ Library so I could continue teaching Callie about her Jewish heritage.

- Lesley W.